This is our review of the best semi-automatic espresso machines for beginners.
I’m not the biggest fan of automating every aspect of espresso making and want more affordable machines. That led me to compare semi-automatic machines.
The Gaggia Classic Pro is the top choice due to its somewhat elegant design, ability to fit in tight spaces, and inclusion of all essential espresso-making features at a reasonable price.
Gaggia Classic Pro: Best Overall
- Price: $$
- Type: Semi-automatic
- Dimensions: 8 × 9.5 × 14.2 in (D, W, H)
- Bars of pressure: 15
- Boiler type: Thermoblock
- Warranty: 1 year
- Milk frother: yes
- Water capacity: 71 fl oz = 71 solo shots
- Material: Stainless steel
Just because it’s small and affordable doesn’t mean it’s the most reliable espresso machine. I’ll cover many other models that’ll last much longer, yet provide the same features at reasonable prices.
Let’s go.
9 Best Semi-Automatic Home Espresso Machines
- Gaggia Classic Pro: Best Overall
- Breville Infuser: Best Machine For Beginners
- De’Longhi Bar: Best Compact Machine
- Breville Bambino Plus: Most Durable Machine
- De’Longhi Stilosa: Best Machine Under $500
- Breville Duo Temp Pro: Best Machine Under $1,000
- Breville Dual Boiler: Best Machine Under $2,000 / premium model
- De’Longhi Dedica: Best Machine Canada
- Rancilio Silvia: Best Machine UK
Top 9 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
Each section throughout all these mini reviews will cover each machines’ specs, pros and cons, who should get it, and other information.
If you’re looking for commercial models, you can find all our Semi-automatic espresso machines.
Before moving on, here’s a legend that may clear up confusion:
- Dimensions:
- D: depth
- W: width
- H: height
- PID = proportional integral derivative: monitors water temperature & makes minor adjustments to keep it to a set temperature.
- ESE = Easy Serve Espresso: pods with pre-ground beans to make brewing drinks easier.
If you find yourself confused, I understand. That’s why you’ll find clarification under the buyer’s guide section.
See the winner.
1. Gaggia Classic Pro: Best Overall
Price | $$ |
Type | Semi-automatic |
Dimensions | 8 × 9.5 × 14.2 in (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | 15 bars |
Boiler Type | Thermoblock |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 71 fl oz = 71 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Rotating steam wand
- Kinda compact
- Includes 3-way solenoid valve
- Steam heats up in 30 sec
Cons
- Requires a learning curve
- Requires separate grinder
- No removable water tank
Gaggia’s Classic Pro is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants a machine that’ll heat up in fewer than 5 minutes, is compact, and doesn’t mind a bit of manual work.
It’s a semi-automatic machine, a step above manual makers. You’ll need to control every aspect except for water flow and pressure. This machine’s only for people who want almost total control over their espresso shots.
That means it’ll take a bit more time to brew espresso. Fortunately, it uses a thermoblock, which means it won’t take too long for the machine to reheat after use. Making it so someone who wants to make a drink afterward won’t have to wait too long.
The froth steamer takes 30 seconds to reheat, though. It’s ideal for quickly frothing milk. The rotating steam wand gives you more control over your milk foam, which is suitable for personalizing texture and taste.
I chose this Italy-made beast of a machine as having the best value due to its durable construction and inclusion of all essential espresso maker features.
The 3-way solenoid valve pulls pressure away from the grounds in the portafilter, turning them into a puck. The perk makes it much easier to dispose of coffee grounds. Or you could set up some nets and play hockey.
You’ll need a coffee grinder to get those beans, which will require more counter space. Or you could opt for ESE pods, which offer more convenience and don’t require as much room. Since the Classic Pro supports filter baskets.
Need something more beginner-friendly?
2. Breville Infuser: Best Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine for Beginners
Price | $$ |
Dimensions | 10.25 × 12.5 × 13.25 in (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | 15 bars |
Boiler Type | Thermocoil |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 61 fl oz = 61 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Includes pressure gauge
- PID temperature control
- Volumetric control
Cons
- Learning curve required
- Requires a bit higher budget
- Must buy a separate grinder
The Infuser is worth its value due to all the included quality-of-life features. Making it an optimal choice for at-home baristas who want to extract the most flavor possible from their beans. I’ll explain why in a second.
The thermocoil water heater and its PID digital control technology ensure your machine maintains its temperature. Ideal for maintaining a consistent flavor extraction and reducing the wait time between drinks.
Great for someone who wants a great-tasting drink and not to wait too long to make a second espresso shot.
Then there’s the pressure gauge, which helps you know when to time your shot, instead of relying on intuition. It’s an excellent comfort feature at this machine’s price point.
And considering I recommend many Breville machines throughout this piece, there’s a reason. They have a positive reputation for long-lasting machines. Which makes them excellent choices for beginners and experts.
The volumetric control allows you to choose between solo (single) and doppio (double) shots. Meaning, you don’t need to worry about timing your shots as much.
Perhaps, you’re after a smaller machine.
3. De’Longhi Bar : Best Compact Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
Price | $ |
Dimensions | 9.6 × 7.2 × 11.9 in (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | 15 bars |
Boiler Type | Single |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 37 fl oz = 37 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Removable water tank
- Supports tall & short cups
- Brews 2 shots simultaneously
Cons
- Noisy pump
- Included portafilter isn’t great
- Steam wand isn’t great
The Bar is an excellent addition to homes that want a compact, affordable machine compatible with ESE pods.
De’Longhi made sacrifices to make it such a great price point. For starters, the boiler. Instead of a thermoblock, they went with a single boiler. A heater that’ll take the longest to reheat your machine after each use.
Unideal for homes with multiple espresso drinkers.
It does have an “Advanced Cappuccino System,” which claims to keep drinks at an optimal temperature. But they don’t specify whether it’s the machine or just the frother. The inclusion of “Cappuccino” makes me suspect it’s the frother.
The steam wand isn’t the greatest since you can’t move it around. A feature ideal for anyone who wants granular control over wands to personalize their frothed milk’s texture. And another way De’Longhi saved money on this machine is by making the inside of their portafilter out of plastic.
Meaning it won’t last as long. You may want to spend at least another $60 on an all-metal portafilter to extend its lifespan. Unless you know you’ll replace the machine after a year.
The noisy pump isn’t great if you don’t want to wake folks up when brewing drinks at 5:00 AM.
You’ll also need a grinder. But thanks to the Bar’s ESE pod supports, you can get these in the machine’s place. Allowing you to dedicate kitchen space to other gadgets.
A more durable machine might fit your criteria.
4. Breville Bambino Plus: Most Durable Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
Price | $$ |
Dimensions | 12.6 × 7.7 × 12.2 in (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | 9–15 bars |
Boiler Type | ThermoJet |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 64 fl oz = 64 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Heats in 3 seconds
- Removable water tank
- Compact
- Automatic milk texturing
Cons
- Small drip tray
- Must buy separate grinder
The Bambino Plus comes from a brand known for its excellent-quality espresso machines and works great for anyone who wants a compact machine that’ll last for years.
Another excellent feature comes from its ThermoJet heater, which will heat the machine in 3 seconds. Superb for anyone who’s in a rush for work and requires a quick(ish) drink. Or for making drinks back-to-back with minimal downtime.
Because of these perks alone, the machine’s well worth the money. And Breville’s machines are known to last a long time, making it less likely you’ll need to replace it in the coming years.
The automatic milk texturing automates microfoam creation for latte art and drinks that require aerated milk (e.g., latte). Then the low-pressure pre-infusion gradually increases the machine’s pressure. Allowing it to extract more flavors from your beans.
Beans that you’ll need to buy a separate grinder for. If you opt for a high-quality espresso grinder, you’ll likely need a fair amount of counter space. Unless you use ESE pods, which requires buying separate adapter baskets for your portafilter.
It’s cheaper than buying a grinder, but you lose the bean choice that comes with grinding your own beans.
My last nitpick comes from the small drip tray. You could keep one cup and a milk frother container on it, nothing else. It shouldn’t cause any headaches for anyone, but I needed to think of another downside for this machine.
Need to balance affordability and functionality? You’ll like this next option.
5. De’Longhi Stilosa: Best Semi-automatic Espresso Machine Under $500
Price | $ |
Type | Semi-automatic |
Dimensions | 8.07 × 13.5 × 11.22 in (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | 15 bars |
Boiler Type | Thermoblock |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 33.8 fl oz = 33 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel & plastic |
Pros
- Holds different cup sizes
- Portafilter includes double- & single-shot baskets
- Somewhat simple user interface
Cons
- Not the most compact machine
- Portafilter is flimsy
- Plastic parts feel very cheap
- You must control drink yield
The Stilosa is a fantastic choice for folks with extra counter space and needs an affordable machine with all the bare essentials.
It uses a thermoblock heating unit, which heats your machine quicker than single boilers. Yet, it makes the machine more affordable than those with double boilers. It’s an excellent means for folks who need to make multiple drinks, but don’t want to wait long between beverages.
I’ve heard mixed reviews about De’Longhi. Many have claimed it’s a stellar company. Others allege it has low-quality machines. Regardless, you’re not paying too much for a high-quality machine.
Even if it only lasts within its warranty period, you’re not paying too much of a premium for the features included. It’ll give you time to save money for an upgrade and improve your craft. If that’s not ideal, check out our recommendations for under $200.
Speaking of durability. The portafilter is made of plastic inside, making it unideal for long-term durability. I recommend getting a new, metal accessory if you get this maker.
This machine isn’t a bad deal, but it’s not exceptional.
Spend a bit more on your hobby with this following recommendation.
6. Breville Duo Temp Pro: Best Semi-automatic Espresso Machine Under $1,000
Price | $$ |
Dimensions | 10 × 11 × 13 in (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | Thermocoil |
Boiler Type | 15 bars |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 61 fl oz = 61 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Uses digital temp. control (PID)
- Maintenance indicator
Cons
- Steam nozzle is difficult to clean
- A bit pricey
The Duo Temp Pro is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants a machine that’ll maximize the flavors you get from beans and make cleaning easier. I’ll emphasize in a second. But first, the heating system.
It uses thermocoil and PID water temperature control to ensure your machine stays at a consistent temperature. It’ll reduce the wait time between drinks while ensuring they have a balanced extraction, providing a consistent taste through the different beverages you make.
These 2 features alone make it worth its value. But it includes a drip tray and cleaning alerts to let you know when to clean your machine. An essential task to extend its lifespan. Meanwhile, you won’t need to set reminders of when to descale it.
Unfortunately, the steam nozzle is a bit hard due to its size, which could prove to be a painful endeavor if you frequently froth milk for lattes or macchiatos.
Otherwise, the Duo Temp Pro uses pre-infusion to slowly increase your machine’s pressure, which helps evenly extract flavors from your beans.
Go wild with your money.
7. Breville Dual Boiler: Best Semi-automatic Espresso Machine Under $2,000
Price | $$$ |
Dimensions | 14.7 × 14.8 × 14.7 in (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | 15 bars |
Boiler Type | Dual boiler |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 84 fl oz = 84 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- 3 seconds to heat up
- Includes pressure valve
- Has digital temperature gauge
Cons
- Can’t remove water tank
- Requires a separate grinder
- Large
Breville’s Dual Boiler works best for households who want to make multiple drinks in a row and don’t mind paying a premium.
This machine is one of few semi-automatics, including a dual boiler that delivers simultaneous extraction and steam with a heated head. Making it reheat much quicker between uses.
It’s a fantastic choice for entertaining guests who all want espresso-based drinks.
It’ll cost more than the majority of machines on this list. Whether it’s worth it depends on how much you value having a dual boiler, a water dispenser, a cup warmer, and LCD.
The cup warmer helps keep your cups at an even temperature to ensure your drink has a similar temperature. The LCD is an excellent choice for knowing your machine’s temperature at a glance.
Nothing’s perfect, though. You can’t remove the water tank, which makes it more challenging to clean and refill. Because you’ll need to carry cleaning supplies and water to the machine. And the device will require more counter space, which isn’t ideal for tight spaces.
Then it requires a separate grinder, which will add a cost and demand more space.
Canadians will like this next pick.
8. De’Longhi Dedica: Best Semi-automatic Espresso Machine, Canada
Price | $ |
Type | Semi-automatic |
Dimensions | 30 × 15 × 33 cm (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | 15 bars |
Boiler Type | Thermoblock |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 1 l = 35 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Compact size
- Supports taller & shorter cups
- Simple UI
Cons
- Steam function is finicky
- Needs a separate coffee grinder
The Dedica is an excellent choice for Canadians due to its great international warranty and compact size. Perfect for anyone with smaller kitchens.
A thermoblock heats machines quicker than single boilers but not double boilers. Meaning it’s splendid for anyone who wants to make multiple drinks in a row without waiting too long.
Let’s break down your costs.
You’ll need a separate coffee maker plus beans, but you can remove this expense by getting ESE pods. Though, you won’t have as many bean choices as using your own grinder.
Otherwise, the machine’s made of stainless steel and a durable beast, likely making it outlive its warranty. And because of those perks, this machine is worth its price point.
Unless you want an excellent steam wand. Because that’s not what you’ll get. As it tends to spurt and burst milk everywhere. Perhaps, that might have just happened to me and other complainers.
Folks in the UK may love this following recommendation.
9. Rancilio Silvia: Best Semi-automatic Espresso Machine UK
Price | £££ |
Dimensions | 23.3 × 28 × 33 cm (D, W, H) |
Bars of Pressure | 15 bars |
Boiler Type | Single |
Warranty | 1 year |
Milk Frother | Yes |
Water Capacity | 300 ml = 10 solo shots |
Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Includes cup warmer
- Can also use capsules & ESE pods
Cons
- Doesn’t include grinder
- Steam wand may suddenly spurt
Rancilio’s Silvia works best for anyone in the UK who wants a great international warranty and a high-quality (yet expensive) espresso machine built to last.
The machine’s biggest downside is its use of a single boiler, which takes a while to reheat. Making them less-than-ideal for households that have multiple espresso drinkers. Who doesn’t want to wait long between each drink made.
Aside from that, it is a bit hard to justify the price based on what you’re getting. But it’s a great-looking machine that should last a long while due to its bulky stainless steel body.
A body that’s large enough to make tiny kitchens shudder. Since it won’t fit.
I’ve seen many complain about the steam wand suddenly spurting, which isn’t great for minimizing messes. Keep a rag by you and wipe when it happens. Then you should be fine.
Since it doesn’t include a grinder, you must buy a separate one. Unless you prefer ESE pods or Nespresso capsules. You could get different adapters to use both pod types, saving a lot of counter and cabinet space.
If this machine doesn’t fit your wants, sift through the list, read through their international warranties, and learn whether they’ll work better.
Learn how to pick a great machine.
How to Choose the Best Home Espresso Machine as a Beginner
Here’s what to consider when shopping for an entry-level espresso machine:
Checklist | Why it’s Important |
Water Pressure | Determines drink flavor. |
Ease of Use | Won’t require a steep learning curve. |
Time to Heat | Determines time required to make the next drink. |
Design | It should fit into your kitchen—design- and size-wise. |
Price | Should fit within your budget. |
Brewing Capabilities | What it can brew. |
Additional Features | Takes less time to brew & provides better-tasting drinks. |
The following sections will list what features to watch out for, why the criteria is critical for newbies, and other important information to consider.
For a more detailed guide, read our article about what to consider before buying an espresso machine.
Let’s begin with one of the most critical criteria; water pressure.
1. Water Pressure
- <7 bars: under-extracted; super sour
- 7–9 bars: Mild flavor & a bit sour
- 9 bars: sweet spot; balanced flavor & excellent starting point
- 15 bars: stronger-tasting drink, but not too bitter
- >15 bars: over-extracted drink; excessively bitter
To avoid brewing drinks that are too sour or bitter, shoot for 9 bars of pressure [1]. To get something a bit stronger, go for up to 15.
Don’t go over, though. Otherwise, you’ll extract too much of your drink’s flavor and create a bitter abomination. Going under 9 bars will create a sour one.
Almost all semi-automatic machines will go up to 15 bars of pressure. Some will go up to 20—for bitter coffee lovers.
2. Ease of Use & Cleaning
Make cleaning easier by keeping an eye out for these features:
- Easy-to-understand buttons: Less of a learning curve.
- Touchscreen interface: More customization & less manual work.
- Removable components: Easier to clean; no need to dig into the machine.
- Descaling notification: Machine shows when it requires descaling.
- Automatic descaling: Descales for you.
Most semi-automatic machines include simple buttons to help you use your appliance. Some may require reading the manual to understand. However, you’ll likely not find touchscreen interfaces.
Since you aren’t automating much.
You can find machines with removable water tanks and drip trays, though. This perk saves you time on cleaning. And allows you to clean your machine deeper. Speaking of.
Descaling; it’s when you wash out mineral buildup from your machine. It’s required every 1–3 months for smooth device operation [2]. Almost all machines in this category won’t include automatic descaling or notifications.
If one does, and you have the extra money, get those features. Better to have your machine tell you when to clean your machine, than to encounter a clogged appliance one day.
3. Built-in Grinder
You’ll always need to buy a separate grinder when shopping for a semi-automatic espresso machine. Adding additional costs and demanding more counter space. However, these grinders offer better grind consistency than super-automatic machines’ built-in ones.
These also allow for easier maintenance. Since you could clean out your separate grinder without affecting your espresso maker.
If your kitchen isn’t big enough for an extra grinder, you have 3 options:
- Store the grinder when not in use;
- Grind beans at the store;
- Use a capsule maker, since they don’t require beans.
Speaking of factors that don’t impact size.
4. Time to Heat
- Temperature control: Keeps machine at set temperature.
- Boiler type: The time it takes to heat your machine.
- Time to heat frother: Time before you can froth milk.
Few semi-automatic machines include Proportional Integral Derivative (PID), which makes minor adjustments to maintain your machine’s temperature. This is a luxury feature that’ll add costs to your machine.
Boilers are always around, though.
Here are your options:
- Double boilers (best): Uses separate boilers for simultaneous brewing & steaming.
- Thermoblock (runner-up): Heats on demand & fast warm-up time.
- Single boiler (worst): Lower cost, but takes much longer to heat.
I’ve never seen a semi-automatic machine that includes a double boiler. Since they’re built for serving many people, you’ll likely find these in only super-automatic machines. That leaves you with thermoblock and single boilers.
The former’s better for homes with more than 1 espresso drinker, since they heat up quicker without costing much more. Otherwise, you’re stuck with single boilers, good for single espresso connoisseurs.
All machines include frothers, but some include ones that’ll reheat quicker. Making them great for multiple latte lovers.
5. Design
- Size: If your machine can fit on counters & carts.
- Aesthetics: Whether the maker fits your kitchen’s style.
- Materials: Effects how your machine looks & how long it lasts.
- Water reservoir size: Number of cups your machine can brew before refilling.
Most machines in this category will fit in small kitchens, when not accounting for buying separate grinders. An argument deemed irrelevant if you store the grinder in a cabinet. You could avoid this con by using ESE pods [3].
Then you’ll need a machine with portafilters with ESE pod support, which isn’t difficult to find.
Speaking of size. Opting for machines with larger water reservoirs will demand more space, but reduce the frequency you refill. Whether you should get it depends on how much counter space real estate is available.
So long as you buy more than $200, you won’t have to worry about having an ugly machine. Whether you get a beauty or a beast, you’ll want one made of stainless steel. The next section will explain deeper.
6. Budget
- Warranty: They often indicate how long the machines will last.
- Opt for better materials: Better materials usually result in longer-lasting machines.
- Electricity usage: Consider voltage required to calculate electricity costs.
Most semi-automatic machines cost $200–$2,000. The higher the cost, the more features are included. These don’t involve buying additional portafilters, better milk frothers, or separate grinders.
The first costs $30–$100; the second and third sit between $100 and $200.
Almost all of these will include a 1-year warranty, which serves as a sign as to how long the machine will last. Getting better materials (stainless steel) will make the machine last longer. Since it’ll reduce the wear and tear on your machine.
Since you’re not using fully-automatic machines, you’ll use less electricity. That may result in adding another $20 a year to power bills. Costs will vary by machine and cost per kilowatt.
7. Brewing Capabilities & Milk Frothing
- Shot preparation methods: Lungo, doppio, solo shots, & ristretto.
- Pressure: How much water bursts through your machine.
- Included milk frother: Needed for adding oxygen to milk to make drinks like lattes.
Opt for 9–15 bars of pressure. Otherwise, you’ll over- or under-optimize your drink. Refer to the first point in the buyer’s guide to learn more.
Almost all semi-automatic machines include milk frothers, that, combined with the regular espresso-making function, allow you to make these drinks:
Americano | Cortado | Long macchiato |
Black Eye | Guillermo | Rápido y Sucio |
Cappuccino | Galão | Café Crema |
Dripped Eye | Irish Coffee | Freddo Cappuccino |
Flat White | Café Medici | Affogato al Caffe |
Latte | Café Breve | Mocha |
Lazy Eye | Vienna Coffee | Cubano |
Manilo Long Black | Macchiato | Zorro |
Red Eye | Espresso Romano | Marocchino |
I’ve seen 1 or 2 automatic milk frothers, which do everything for you. Or wands that you can move around, giving you more control over your milk froth. Better for creating better-tasting microfoam.
See how semi-automatic machines fare against machines with more (or less) functionality.
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines vs. Other Machine Types
Compare how semi-automatic espresso machines compare to other machines:
Machine Type | What it Automates | Avg. Price | Best for |
Semi-automatic | Pressure & water flow | $200–$2,000 | Graduating from manual machines |
Super/fully-automatic | Everything | $800–$5,000 | Automated traditional espresso |
Automatic | Grinding, tamping, & brewing | $300-$3,000 | Balancing cost & automation |
Manual | Nothing | $100–$800 | Learning the basics |
Capsule | Everything | $100–$700 | Convenience, cost, & speed |
Stovetop | Nothing | $10–$50 | Budget |
Let’s move on to frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Keep reading to find frequently asked questions about shopping for semi-automatic espresso makers.
Do Cheap Espresso Machines Make Good Espresso?
Cheap espresso machines can make decent espresso, but their quality and consistency may not match that of higher-end models. Lack of quality is due to low-quality parts, bad pressure, and other factors.
What Is the Difference Between a Cheap & Expensive Espresso Maker?
The main differences between cheap and expensive espresso makers are build quality, consistency, precision, and features. These contribute to better espresso extraction and taste in higher-end models.
Our Verdict
Here are our top 3 choices:
- Gaggia Classic Pro: Supports ESE pods & includes other quality-of-life features while still affordable.
- Breville Infuser: From a great brand & will last for years.
- De’Longhi Bar: Affordable & fantastic for those with small kitchens.
I went with the Gaggia Classic Pro since it heats somewhat quickly, doesn’t take up much space, and should fit into most kitchens because of its aesthetics. Moreover, it’s made of durable materials and should last you a while.
If that isn’t doesn’t fit your criteria, consider one of the other machines.
Gaggia Classic Pro: Best Overall
- Price: $$
- Type: Semi-automatic
- Dimensions: 8 × 9.5 × 14.2 in (D, W, H)
- Bars of pressure: 15
- Boiler type: Thermoblock
- Warranty: 1 year
- Milk frother: yes
- Water capacity: 71 fl oz = 71 solo shots
- Material: Stainless steel